What is salt room therapy?

Salt therapy, also known as Halotherapy, is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment that alleviates the health problems associated with asthma, allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, and a host of other respiratory illnesses. It is a modern-day therapeutic method based on the principle of the natural salt mine microclimate (Speleotherapy), where frequent exposure to the salt produced healing results for miners and others experiencing respiratory illnesses. As you relax in a comfortable, climate-controlled room surrounded by mineral salt, salt micro-particles are emitted into the room and passively enter your lungs to initiate the healing process.

How does salt therapy work?

A patented machine called a halogenerator produces dry saline aerosol by mechanically crushing rock salt grains to the size of 1 to 5 micrometers. The generator is installed on the outside wall of the salt rooms. The dry salt aerosol is blown into the rooms via a small opening in the wall. In addition to a halogenerator, the walls of salt therapy rooms are covered with mineral salt. The salt-filled room provides a negative ion environment (like the seashore), which contributes to well being and promotes stress reduction in addition to helping your particular condition. These small particles of salt are negatively ionized and bear very high kinetic energy. This way they can travel into the deepest and smallest parts of the lungs. Negative ionization of salt aerosol increases the efficiency of healing. Inhaling the micro-salt particles assists you in expelling mucous and helps open constricted airways. It also boosts the immune system.

Isn’t introducing salt into the body bad for you?

Eating too much salt is linked to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However with salt therapy the salt enters your respiratory system, not your stomach, heart and kidneys. In addition, the concentration of salt is .5-10 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic meter). To put that into perspective, the daily recommended salt intake for the average adult is 6g (grams). Therefore, the amount of salt entering your respiratory system is extremely low. Even if you eat that amount instead of breathing it, the amount of salt is insignificant. Salt entering the lungs kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and loosens mucus.

Are there side effects?

Rarely. If you have a lot of mucous, it is not uncommon to experience increased coughing after a treatment. This is the body’s way of responding to the salt treatment by draining the accumulated mucus.

Is salt therapy safe for children?

Yes. Salt therapy is a completely drug-free treatment for children and adults. Children as young as 3 months have benefitted greatly and respond quickly and effectively to Halotherapy. Children are more prone to respiratory problems because they pick up more viruses and their lungs are not fully developed until about the age of 9. In addition, the environment is filled with pollutants which children have a harder time keeping at bay.

Is salt therapy safe for pregnant women?

Yes. Salt therapy is a great choice for women who do not want to rely heavily on over-the-counter or prescribed medication for sinusitis, asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses. Pregnant women who have come to Respira have experienced relief for their congestion and chronic respiratory problems. In addition, the ionized salt particles help boost their immune system.

Should I stop using my medication during salt therapy?

No. Salt room therapy should be used as a complementary treatment. People who come for salt room therapy often find that they can reduce their dependence on certain medications and that their episodes are not as frequent or severe. However, you should always follow your doctor’s advice and your prescribed medication regimen.

How many treatments will I need?

Every experience is different and it depends on the type and severity of your condition. Generally speaking, to maximize the healing process we typically recommend a course of 12-15 treatments over a period of 8 weeks. You may feel some improvement after one session, but a series of treatments is best for longer-term results. After a series of treatments your breathing will become easier and symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath will improve noticeably. People also come for treatments as a preventative measure.

What will I experience when I sit in the salt room?

You enter a room resembling a a salt cave. The walls are covered in mineral salt. The room is designed to enhance the treatment experience, so adults will sit in adjustable and comfortable massage beds. The room’s temperature and humidity is maintained for optimal treatment conditions. The lights will dim and you can choose to listen to relaxing music. Many people like to close their eyes and meditate. All sessions last for 45 minutes. It is common to taste a hint of salt on your lips. You will feel relaxed and energized.

What about picking up germs in the salt room?

One of the natural properties of salt is that it absorbs bacteria. The walls are also covered in salt, which creates the nearly sterile conditions in each room. In addition, after a session, the room is fully ventilated for 15 minutes.

Is salt therapy covered by insurance?

Although salt therapy is partially covered by health insurance in Canada and some European countries, it is not covered by health insurance in the U.S. Note that our clients have successfully submitted their salt therapy bills to their healthcare flexible spending administrator and it was considered a valid flex spend cost.

What clothing do I wear in the salt room?

You do not need to wear anything special. Come as you are. For clients who have skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, we recommend that you expose those areas. So a T-shirt and shorts would work in that case for maximum exposure. For respiratory ailments, there is no need to expose the skin.

Testimonials

As I lay in the hospital trying to recuperate from the worst asthma attack of my life, a volunteer came in the room and offered me a newspaper. I happened to turn it to the community section and there it was, an article about an alternative treatment for asthma and eczema. Today’s appointment at Respira was awesome! It was revitalizing and my breathing is getting better already! I am a fan. You guys are a Godsend.

JorgeParlin, NJ

I have asthma and COPD. Before I left the house, my oximeter reading was 93. After my session at Respira, my reading was 98. My oximeter goes up to 99, which is the best possible number for oxygen level. It has done wonders for me and I highly recommend it. I now sleep through the night without waking up breathless.

BarbaraGillette, NJ

My four-year-old son has been very prone to upper respiratory ailments since birth. We dread every winter because he gets sick a lot. Finding Respira and this gentle salt therapy technique changed all that. We noticed improvement after the second session and we are confident that this will be the best winter we’ve had so far.

AndreaWashington, NJ

For most of my adult life, I have suffered frequent sinus infections and bronchitis. About 9 years ago, the infections became so chronic I was constantly on antibiotics–a deviated septum was blamed for blocking and full recovery–thus surgery. This led to chronic post-nasal drip and coughing. Friends would say, “I knew you were here; I heard your cough!” Having found Respira, they now say: “I don’t hear your cough anymore!”

RosemaryWayne, NJ

Every fall our daughter suffers from a very heavy congested cough for a few months. Although the medicine she currently takes keeps the cough somewhat controlled, we were still hoping to find a natural method to complement her medicine. Through our research we discovered Respira. My daughter enjoys her time in the children’s room, which she considers to be her own little mini retreat, and loves the fact that she feels much better after each session. Although she still has to take her medicine, we feel that the salt therapy has lessened her dosage. Not only is the atmosphere warm and inviting, the owner as well as her team are so personable and truly care about each and every client. We are so thankful to have found Respira and hope that others will enjoy the benefit from their sessions as well.

LindaRockaway, NJ

I arrived at Respira with nasal stuffiness and heaviness in my chest. After 15 minutes, my nasal passages cleared and my chest congestion, due to allergic rhinitis, cleared. The music was soothing and as I relaxed more, so did my bronchi–and my breathing improved.